Thomas, along with author, artist and activist Cleo Wade, served as the keynote speakers Thursday during the Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36th annual luncheon.
The Dallas Mavericks sponsored the virtual event and the luncheon encouraged the power of each woman’s voice and story in building empathy, compassion, and community in our world.
“Every time that someone changes the world, every time someone makes a difference, it’s because they come from a place of their own personal grievances,” Thomas shared. “They tell their own personal stories.”
Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall shared with the audience how important the Texas Women’s Foundation is to the Dallas Mavericks. She appeared with Southwest Airline’s Laura Nieto at the Dallas Galleria community wall that was on display during September 2021.
The mural allowed the public to learn more about the Texas Women’s Foundation and thousands of people took pictures at the wall for a chance to win cool swag, including a signed jersey by Mavs’ sensation Luka Dončić.
This year, the Mavs pledged a $150,000 donation to help the Texas Women’s Foundation drive its mission to improve the lives of women, girls, and the community at large.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to building community with inclusivity, equity and partnerships that bring women to the table and give them a voice,” Marshall said. “This commitment aligns perfectly with the aims and objectives of Texas Women’s Foundation, and that is why we are proud to serve as the presenting sponsor for this year’s annual luncheon.”
Thomas and Wade provided endless inspirational and uplifting moments during Thursday’s virtual luncheon.
Thomas said there is not a world-changer who did not come from a place of taking something personally.
“Changing the world around you means speaking up about things that either affect you personally…or affects others in your area, community, job, or school and making their story heard,” she added.
“It begins with validating your story and validating yourself from within and recognizing that ‘yeah, what I think has value and my story has value.’ And again, remind yourself that every changemaker in the world did so because something was personal to them.”
Cleo Wade is an activist, community builder, and the author of the bestselling books, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life, Where to Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Change, and Heart Talk: The Journal, 52 Weeks of Self-Love, Self-Care, and Self-Discovery.
She has been called the poet of her generation by Time Magazine and one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company.
Wade released her first children’s book in March 2021, titled What the Road Said. The book features illustrations by Lucie de Moyencourt, and celebrates the journey we are all on and the questions we ask along the way.
During the TWF luncheon, she said, “if you are grateful for where you are, you have to respect the road that got you there.”
She talked about all the winding paths that led her to this moment.
“If we can organize the way we tell stories, we can take them to the spaces that create change,” Wade explained.
TWF has been a leading driver of meaningful social and economic change for women, girls and families in Texas since its founding in 1985.
“Texas Women’s Foundation is honored to have the investment of the Dallas Mavericks – a community partner who is leading by example for women and girls,” said Ashley Lindsay, associate VP of development at TWF. “Together, we are committed to building community with inclusivity, equity and partnerships that bring women to the table and give them a voice.”
Texas Women’s Foundation and the Dallas Mavericks are partners driving meaningful change in our communities by:
To learn more:
-Donate to invest in the lives of women and girls across Texas: https://www.txwf.co/donate
-Joining TWF’s Army of Advocates to use your voice and platforms to make a change: https://txwf.org/advocacy/
-Learn about ways to connect through TWF’s events here: https://txwf.org/events/
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